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K A I

In Japanese, Kai means "shell" (貝), "restoration" or "recovery". Kai building enclosure is designed to self-recover from any period of high relative humidity by using high-performance materials that are breatheable (to water vapour) and airtight. Kai Assembly includes resilient assemblies to manage moisture - not trap it!

CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLY + DETAIL PACKAGE

HOW IT WORKS

At Akira Living, we make Passive House objectives for High-Performance Buildings not only possible, but simple. Our team’s specialized experience on intelligent building enclosure design will save extensive time on research and development, and fast track your ability to deliver a successful Passive House / High-Performance Building, while minimizing cost and risk.

Passive House / High-Performance Building Enclosures require two critical components:

super-insulated construction assemblies (The Recipe),

airtight & thermal bridge free transition details (The Technique).

Akira Living provides solutions to both of these components with the KAI Assembly and the KAI Detail Package. The designs are developed and reviewed by a Certified Passive House Designer, Professional Building Enclosure Engineer, and Structural Engineer licensed in Canada.

CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLY

During the Pre-Design Assessment stage, having building enclosure design guidance is key in planning a successful project. Knowing the effective R-value of each construction assembly type will enable the Architect and Energy Modeller to get started and eliminate duplication of design effort.

KAI Assembly was engineered to encompass intelligent choices with building science that works for Cool Temperate & Cold Climates (ASHRAE Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8). KAI Assembly is the recipe and solution to create super-insulated Passive House building enclosures.

KAI Assembly is available for purchase in PDF file format. Click on the link at the bottom of this page.

DETAIL PACKAGE

Akira Living Building Enclosure Detail Packages available for purchase (PDF or AutoCAD file format) include straightforward 2D transition details engineered to meet the Passive House Standard. The technique on how the construction assemblies merge together in the transition details is the most important aspect of any building enclosure. The Detail Package is the technique and solution to create an airtight and thermal bridge free Passive House building enclosure.

Detail Packages available for purchase include minimum 43 common transition details that will simplify design for the Architect, simplify construction for the Builder, and are building permit ready. The following Detail Indexes list the transition detail locations that are included in each detail package, KAI LITE and KAI.

WHAT CLIMATE ZONE ARE YOUR PROJECTS IN?

Below is an ASHRAE Climate Zone Map of North America with the approximate location of each Climate Zone. Use this map to help identify which Climate Zone may apply to your projects. Please note that each municipality or local building code may be at differing levels of adoption of energy codes and the Climate Zone in the map may not apply. Always check with your local building official to confirm the Climate Zone. Each Akira Living Building Enclosure Assembly & Detail Package has been engineered for specific Climate Zones. No Assembly or Detail Package is suitable for all Climate Zones.

CLIMATE ZONE 8

> 7000 HDD

CLIMATE ZONE 7

5001 to 7000 HDD

CLIMATE ZONE 6

4001 to 5000 HDD

CLIMATE ZONE 5

3001 to 4000 HDD

CLIMATE ZONE 4

2001 to 3000 HDD

CLIMATE ZONE 3

≤ 3500 CDD & ≤ 2000 HDD

CLIMATE ZONE 2

3501 to 5000 CDD

CLIMATE ZONE 1

> 5000 CDD

ORDER PROCESS

ORDER PROCESS

Step 1: Select an Akira Living Building Enclosure Construction Assembly Package (PDF) or Detail Package in your preferred format – PDF or AutoCAD. Click on the text in the coloured box to request prices/quote.

Step 2: Akira Living will contact you and provide a customized quote for the product and associated Consulting Services. Purchasing a Detail Package requires a signed License Agreement that outlines terms and conditions for the product’s use. This is a business investment that will save your company thousands of hours in research and development with building science that works. To maintain your new marketing edge over your competitors, protect this investment wisely and ensure it stays off the internet.

Step 3: Payment options include credit card payment using Square or PayPal through www.akiraliving.com, cash, cheque (payable to Akira Living) or email money transfer. Once payment is received Akira Living will email you the Construction Assembly Package or Detail Package previously selected to complete your order and secure your new partnership with Akira Living!

DESIGN IN RECORD TIME

Akira Living’s highly trained personnel will provide your team with consultation and guidance on questions specific to the purchased Akira Living Building Enclosure Design. AutoCAD files will enable you to effortlessly transfer the construction details onto your architectural drawings to apply for a building permit and deliver a successful High-Performance Building or Passive House. Ensure the transfer of details comply with the terms and conditions in the License Agreement.

If building within Canada, Akira Living has licensed Professional Building Enclosure Engineers, and Structural Engineers to seal any applicable drawings and schedules for additional fees. Field reviews during the construction phase are also available for an additional fee.

CUSTOM BUILDING ENCLOSURE DETAIL PACKAGE

Akira Living can incorporate a wide variety of finishing options. Contact Akira Living for options that may include custom cladding and/or a custom roof finish change for an additional fee. Please note the customer must purchase a Detail Package prior to Akira Living commencing any custom designs.

Similar to the Larsen Truss wall system developed in 1981 by John Larsen, a builder in Edmonton Alberta. The Larsen Truss is usually site-built. Akira Living use I-joists due to being a true engineered product to reduce on-site labour costs.

The design can be modified for a full exterior renovation and interior walls can stay intact.

Click on the text in the coloured box above for a product description and to request a quote. Read More

The most versatile format for making modifications to the Building Enclosure Detail Package. Delivered via email in digital format, AutoCAD file. License Agreement permits printing as many hard copies as needed for construction. Save time and money in the long run with building permit ready details that are easily modifiable.

Click on the text in the coloured box above for a product description and to request a quote. Read More

The most versatile format for making modifications to the Building Enclosure Detail Package. Delivered via email in digital format, AutoCAD file. License Agreement permits printing as many hard copies as needed for construction. Save time and money in the long run with building permit ready details that are easily modifiable.

Support

COMFORTABLE

Discomfort is felt when your body radiates heat to colder surfaces around you. This does not happen in a Passive House. Super-insulated building enclosure including high performance windows ensures comfortable interior conditions with no cold surfaces on the walls, floor, or roof. No temperature swings or drafts. The constant interior temperatures provide a new level of comfort – once you experience it you won’t go back.

Super-insulated and airtight building enclosure that’s thermal bridge free with controlled ventilation prevents condensation from forming on interior surfaces. A structure free of condensation damage will ensure an extraordinary service life.